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AAA Michigan Praises House for Passage of Seat Belt Law

12 May 1999

AAA Michigan Praises House for Passage of Seat Belt Law

    DEARBORN, Mich., May 11 -- AAA Michigan today (May 11)
praised state lawmakers who voted in favor of Senate Bill 335, which will
provide standard enforcement for Michigan's safety belt law.
    "AAA Michigan commends members of the state House for their efforts to
save motorists' lives," said Larry Givens, AAA Michigan Vice President
Corporate Relations.  "SB 335 gives state and local police the power they need
to properly enforce Michigan's mandatory safety belt law."
    Under the measure, police can make a traffic stop solely to enforce the
safety belt law.  Currently, it is enforceable only as a secondary offense.
The legislation awaits concurrence by the Senate and the governor's signature.
    According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
the average seat belt use rate is 17 percentage points higher in states with
standard enforcement.  In Michigan, the law has the potential to save 149
lives annually and prevent 3,588 injuries, for a total economic savings of
$256 million.